The Road Out Podcast

This is the final part of our series with our guest, Shelby Hofer. In this episode, Shelby continues to identify and put language to the ways she has personally experienced spiritual abuse in action in YWAM as she has worked through her own entanglement and counseled many staff and students through Member Care. If you are looking for a list of resources, check out the description in part one or our Facebook page.

Continuing our series on Defining Spiritual Abuse, Shelby spells out some examples of how to spot spiritual abuse including how some bible verses can be used to control and manipulate. Resources on spiritual abuse: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/W9ocfPpBnXFBYMRR/

Professional counselor, Shelby Hofer, joins us from Switzerland. 18 years of experience with YWAM has earned her invaluable knowledge on the topic of spiritual abuse. Below is an extensive list of resources provided by Shelby categorized by media type. Enjoy! Books “Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse: How to create healthy Christian cultures” by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys “The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse” by David Johnson and Jeff van Vonderen “Safe People” by Henry Cloud and John Townsend “When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing your community from emotional and spiritual abuse” by Chuck DeGroat “We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis” by Mary DeMuth, page 112, The Problem with Predators Daigle, “The relationship between spiritual health, spiritual dissonance and positive mental health”, 2019 “Something’s not right: Decoding the hidden tactics of abuse and freeing yourself from its power” - Wade Mullen Articles https://www.marydemuth.com/spiritual-abuse-10-ways-to-spot-it/ https://www.marydemuth.com/resource-for-the-spiritually-abused/ https://www.saritahartz.com/abuse-in-missions-sending-orgs-are-failing-missionaries/#disqus_thread https://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/articles/the-dangers-of-spiritual-abuse-clinical-implications-and-best-practices https://www.asimpleblog.online/post/christians-in-conflict-the-use-and-abuse-of-matthew-18 https://www.christianitytoday.com/scot-mcknight/2020/december/what-is-spiritual-abuse-working-definition.html https://www.choosingtherapy.com/spiritual-abuse/ https://www.genesisshelter.org/the-experience-of-spiritual-abuse/ https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/research-policy/positional-statements/spiritual-abuse https://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/articles/guidelines-for-spiritually-abused-persons https://www.spiritualabuseresources.com/articles/checks-on-power-and-authority-in-the-new-testament https://www.recoveringmissionaries.org/understanding-abuse-in-missions/ Videos What are Red Flags For Spiritual Abuse in Your Church? with Teasi Cannon Organizations / Websites G.R.A.C.E - https://www.netgrace.org/ - USA Resource psycom.net Thirtyoneeight - https://thirtyoneeight.org/ - an independent, non-denominational charity providing a range of resources and support regarding spiritual abuse. - UK Resource https://thirtyoneeight.org/media/4upcux21/spiritual-abuse-position-statement.pdf Christian Safeguarding Services - https://thecss.co.uk/ https://www.episcopalchurch.org/safe-church/ https://upci.org/safechurch/ www.replenished.life - UK Resource - Replenished aims to provide a safe place and space for survivors of spiritual abuse. StepsSA - stepssa.weebly.com/contact.html - Offers counseling and psychotherapy for survivors and training for counselors on spiritual abuse. International Cultic Studies Association - www.icsahome.com 1800RESPECT - Australia Resource - the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counseling service, providing confidentinal help available 24/7 0 www.1800respect.org.au Lifeline Australia - a national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suice prevention services. - Australia Resource MensLine Australia (Changing for Good) - a telephone and online counseling service for men with family and relationship concerns. www.mensline.org.au/changingforgoodx Podcasts Untangled Faith Podcast- Amy Fritz w/Krispin Mayfield - Should I stay in my faith community to try to make a difference? - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5o9JMjnsS7rmFbJS2LGELY?si=d155986c44d64f71 Missionary Life Podcast - Sarita Hartz The Allender Center Podcast - Dr. Dan Allender and others - search “spiritual abuse” The Roys Report with Julie Roys - reporting exclusively on abuse in the Christian world, but also runs a wonderful conference called Restore.

Katie and Daniel wrap up their story of why they left YWAM and their meetings with staff that led to their untimely departure from the organization. TW: infant loss, grief, PTSD

In this episode, Daniel and Katie finally share the first half of the full story on why they left YWAM and the events leading up to their exit. TW: trauma, PTSD, infant loss, grief

Katie's husband Daniel joins Maddie and Katie this week to discuss why they stayed in YWAM for so long, despite seeing red flags. Join us as we discuss the mental process behind what kept us staying in spiritually abusive environments.

In this episode, we discuss the public financial statement of a YWAM base and why working outside of YWAM is frowned upon.

In the episode, we discuss the methods and teachings behind fundraising in YWAM. As well as how it comes across to those who are being solicited.

Continuing our series on YWAM. Our guest Cassidy gives insight into how the teaching of “Relinquishing Rights” is put into practice by students and staff on campus.

In this episode, Maddie and Katie continue the conversation about how the practice of hearing God's voice was implemented on the mission field during YWAM outreach.

“Hearing the Voice of God” was a teaching that permeated everything that happened at YWAM. In this episode, we discuss how the concept of hearing the voice of God was twisted and used manipulatively among students and staff.

Let's back up and re-introduce ourselves. Join us as we share how this podcast came about and our heart behind it.

Maddie and Katie are joined once again by Daniel to discuss more of what relationships were like in YWAM. Daniel shares his experience as a school staff member and the systemic cycle of spiritual abuse.

Maddie and Katie are joined by Katie's husband Daniel to discuss what relationships were like in YWAM. Katie and Daniel share their experience as a couple in YWAM and what they witnessed among the staff and other students.

In the wake of the recent passing of YWAM founder Loren Cunningham, Maddie and Katie discuss the tendency to put spiritual leaders on a pedestal and the mentality that causes someone to do so.

In this episode, we discuss Katie's journey of joining YWAM and what draws young people to this ministry, as well as the definition of "reckless abandon", and the “high” of being a YWAMer.

Kicking off our series talking about Youth With A Mission. This episode is all about the history and formation of YWAM. If you are a parent, supporter, or potential student...we hope this is helpful. If you are already familiar with YWAM, feel free to skip this one. https://ywam.org/about-us/history

Meet your hosts, Maddie and Katie and see what we're about here at the Road Out Podcast.